Chris Hoy’s wife says ‘he’s my real-life superhero’ after Olympic legend revealed terminal cancer diagnosis
SIR Chris Hoy’s wife says he’s “my real life superhero” after the cycling legend revealed he has terminal cancer.
The 48-year-old six-time Olympic gold medallist confirmed over the weekend he has up to four years to live.
Charities have said he will “save lives” after his announcement sparked a surge in web searches for the disease.
His wife Sarra was diagnosed with incurable and degenerative MS just weeks before Sir Chris got his cancer news, but the couple have decided to keep her illness from their two kids.
Taking to Instagram today, the mum said: “Completely overwhelmed by your kind, thoughtful and helpful messages.
“Many people say they don’t know what to say- that’s ok, you don’t need to have the words – just taking the time to message has been like a soothing balm to the soul. Thank you.”
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
Source: NHS
She went on to say: “I’ve been told that men seeking advice about prostate cancer is up seven fold and that Chris’s story is likely to save countless lives. This takes my breath away.
“Life is wonderful. We are excited about the future. We have so many more adventures planned….
“And I am so fortunate to get to do it all with Chris Hoy – the most incredible person I’ve ever met.
“Watching him on the BBC at the weekend was like watching a masterclass in strength of character, dignity and humility.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- he truly is my real life superhero.”
Sir Chris responded to her heartfelt post with heart and kissing emojis.
He was diagnosed in November last year but has kept the extent of his cancer a secret for a year, while continuing his punditry duties, including covering the Paris Olympics in the summer for the BBC.
Back in February, Hoy announced he was being “treated for cancer” and claimed it was going well – though knew in reality it was just “management”.
The star had gone to the doctor in late September last year after feeling a strain in his shoulder.
A tumour was found, before a second scan discovered the primary cancer in his prostate.
It had metastasised to Sir Chris’s bones – including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs, and spine.
Speaking of the appointment in which he found out about the tumour, he told the Sunday Times he thought “I’m just getting a bit old for lifting heavy weights”.
Referred by his physiotherapist for a scan, he went to hospital alone, expecting to be told to lay off upper-body work in the gym for a few weeks.
“I’m really sorry,” the doctor told him. The nurse’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s a tumour in your shoulder.”
Heartbreakingly, Sir Chris’ wife Sarra was told she had incurable and degenerative MS just weeks before his cancer news.
Most recently, Chris has been covering the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen for the broadcaster.
Sir Chris began chemo in November last year and recalled how 10-year-old son Callum kept asking if he’d lose his hair.
As a result, he wore a cold cap – which feels “like your head being in a vice” – during all six rounds over 18 weeks.
He said that it was the worst pain he’s ever experienced, adding while grinning sheepishly: “And I’ve got a very high pain threshold.”
Sir Chris and Sarra told their children about the cancer during dinner one night, to which Callum asked: “Are you going to die?”
The former Olympian explained the medication would hopefully mean he would “be here for many, many years”.
The sportsman suffered a violent allergic reaction in gruelling chemo sessions – but only missed five days of training on a bike.
He has written about his diagnosis in a new book out next month.
All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet by Sir Chris Hoy is published on November 7.
How Chris Hoy went from lad on £5 bike inspired by ET to 6-time Olympic champion
By Jonathan Rose
SIR Chris Hoy began cycling at the age of six after he was inspired by the 1982 film ET.
Before he moved on to track cycling, he rode a BMX bike until the age of 15.
Sir Chris was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the World.
His dad picked up a £5 bike from a jumble sale – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX world championship race.
“I was six when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. I wasn’t interested in cycling at all before.”
“The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B,” continued Hoy, who grew up in Murrayfield.
“Then I saw those BMX bikes on screen and I was hooked. It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners.
“It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.”
Four years later he became part of the British national squad.
A world championship medal came in 1999 with silver in the team sprint.
Sir Chris went on to become the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.